I have a bias to action.
It has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that I enjoy completing tasks or missions. One disadvantage is that it makes me a bit OCD until I accomplish it.
But am I this driven when the Lord gives me a mission? Do I push through it to please Him? Do you?
At the beginning of Genesis 24, Abraham requested his loyal servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant followed the commands he was given and headed to Abraham’s homeland. After finding Rebekah, the servant travels to Rebekah’s home, where the final arrangements are made. We continue today in Genesis 24:49-61.
49 Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”
Genesis 24:49-61, New International Version
50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.”
52 When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.
When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”
55 But her brother and her mother replied, “Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go.”
56 But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.”
57 Then they said, “Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.” 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”
“I will go,” she said.
59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”
61 Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.
The servant was very excited and ready to take Rebekah to her home with Isaac. He had seen the Lord supernaturally provide, and he knew Abraham would be thrilled at the Lord’s provision.
Even Laban and Bethuel acknowledge the Lord’s hand in these events. Knowing it was the Lord’s hand is crucial because it couldn’t be written off as circumstantial.
But then there’s a hitch in the plan. Rebekah’s family wants ten days to say goodbye. Presumably, they would also be preparing her for her new life with Isaac. But we don’t know for sure.
The servant insists that they return now to Abraham’s land. Rebekah’s family decides to accept this request. They believe it is a situation clearly guided by the Lord’s hand.
The servant knew his mission. The Lord gave him success. Everything worked out because of the Lord’s grace.
Now, he wants to complete the mission by returning to Abraham’s home with Rebekah.
The willingness of Abraham’s servant to be obedient is a great lesson for us. How do we respond when our Master Jesus sends us on a mission? Are you quick to respond? Do we pray for success? Once we achieve success, do we immediately move on to completion?
A bias for action is fine. A bias for inaction is fine, too.
But when our Master commissions us for a specific purpose, we should take action. Let us move like Abraham’s servant with a bias for holy action.
Life Meets Theology 